TSON – the ultraminiature PhotoMOS relay

The new capacitive coupled TSON relays belong to the successful Low CxR PhotoMOS relay series with an optimized, i.e. low, product of C and R at the output transistors.

In contrast with the well-known PhotoMOS relays, the galvanic isolation of input and output of the TSON relays is not optical, but capacitive. Apart from the notably smaller footprint, the TSON relay offers significant advantages as far as the temperature range, the nominal operating power, and the transfer characteristics are concerned. For example, the new TSON relays can be used in ambient temperatures of up to +105°C. The forward current needed for activation is typ. as low as 0.2mA, and the input can be driven with a typ. voltage of 3.5V. A resistor as required for PhotoMOS is no longer necessary.

The turn-on time for TSON relays is (depending on the type) within the range of a few 100µs. In spite of the very small size of as tiny as 1.8 x 1.95 x 0.8mm (LxWxH), the galvanic isolation between input and output is 200V AC.

The new TSON package brings space savings of more than 50% compared to the previously smallest package types SON & VSSOP.

The new TSON types are available for load voltages from 30V to 60V. Depending on the type, the Low CxR may be as low as 10pFxOhm.

Particularly in the areas of IC and board testers, medical technology and multipoint recording, the new capacitive coupled PhotoMOS relays in TSON packages make advances in circuit-board design possible that were never before even dreamed of.